Method of and means for automatic control of the temperature in the water jackets of internal-combustion engines



A rifm, 1925.

. C.F METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR AUTOMATIC WATER JACKETS OF INTERNAL CPIZZEY CONTROL OF THE TEMPERATURE IN THE OMBUSTION ENGINES Filed April'9, 1921 Patented Apr. 14., 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

METHOD OF AND MEANF} FOR AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF THE TEMPERATURE IN THEW'ATER JACKETS 0'33 INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed April 9,

To all 10710721 it may concern:

Be it known that I, CYRIL FRANK Prater, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, and a resident of 12-7 tiainuel Street, Vdoolwich, London, S.E. 18, England, have invented a new and useful Method of and Means forAutomatic Controlof the Temperature in the Water Jackets ofInternal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is thespecification.

Tninternal combustion engines hitherto, especiallythose used forpropelling motor vehicles, it has been a great disadvantage that whenleft for a time with the engine not running, the cylinders rapidly coolowing to the continued circulation of the water from the jacket throughthe radiator or the like. It is frequently seen that to avoid thisdisadvantage, motor drivers will, when leaving the car standing for atime, place a rug or some cover over the radiator to retain the heat.()ther disadvantages also occur which are afterward referred to.

It is the chief object of this invention to avoid these disadvantages.

According to this invention 1 provide and lit a thermostat withinpreferably the outlet or flow pipe from the engine jacket to theradiator in motor vehicle engines, or the outlet pipe to the coolingtank in stationary or other power engines.

The thermostat may conveniently and preferably consist of a bi-metalstrip, as for example, invar-zinc, and I connect the thermostat suitablyto a throttle or butterfly valve pivotally mounted within the said pipe,the thermostat being mounted between. the valve and the water jacket.

One end of the thermostatic strip may be mounted on a stud or base plateprojecting within the pipe the other end of the said strip may operatethe valve by means of a plate or fork with opposed pins fitting withincam grooves arranged on the spindle of the. valve, whereby the valve ispartly rotated. i

The thermostatic control is so arranged that when the temperature of thewater in the cylinder jacket is less than approXimately G., the pivoteddisc valve or throttle When the engine has been started andthetemperature of the cooling water rises, for example above 85 (1, thevalve begins toopen by means of the thermostat and at 95: C. forexample, it is fully open. This operation has the following effectsthat:- (D the water in the cylinder jacket is kept at a far higheraverage and more uniform temperature than hitherto, (2) excessivecooling of the engine cylinders is prevented, so preventing loss ofeiiiciency, and (3) when the engine is started, as circulation cannotcommence at once the cooling water rapidly reaches a high temperature,and the circulation cannot commence until the desired or predeterminedtemperature is reached.

The preferred mode of carrying my invention into effect is illustratedin the accompanying drawing in which :v

. Fig. lis a part sectional elevation,

Fig.2 is a plan of Fig. 1,

Fig. 8 is an end view showing the valve face, and,

Fig. 4 is an elevation of a multi-cylinder engine indicating theposition of my thermostatic device.

A is the casing of the thermostat consisting of a piece of tube havingtwo central portions, cut away on each side leaving two bridge pieces Aand A connecting the two tubular ends A and A In the casing end A ismounted a transverse plate member B to which is secured by screws theend of the bi-metalv strip C. The other end of the strip has riveted.thereto the plate C conveniently at an angle as shown. The plate C hasa'hole at its end which loosely fits the valve spindle D. The plate hassecured thereto conveniently by soldering two pins E, E diametrallyarranged with regard to the hole, each pin projecting toward the centreradially and fitting a slot formed in the spindle D. The two cam slotsF, F"-, oppositely out are longitudinal at one end and at the other arecut at an angle like two opposed threads of a screw, see Figs. 1 and P.The spindle D is rotatably supported in point and cup bearings Grsecured inside the casiilgA The throttle valve H is formed as a discnormally closing the passage through the casing. It has a dishedprojecting portion H at its centre-to accommodate the plate C and permitof its movement along the spindle. The disc valve H is secured to thespindle by soldering or other convenientmeans. The screw J is secured tothe bridge piece A and has'the nut-member J fitted thereon to provideadjustment as the stop or limitation of return movement of the bi-metal'strip C which abuts against thenut member J when the jacket water is"cold. The dotted lines K in-Fig. 4; indicate the preferred position forplacing I the device in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine asfitted on a vehicle, the device being fitted inside the water outletpipe L between the cylinders and the top of the radiator M as shown, theend A of the casing A being placed nearest the cylinders so that theheated water has direct access to the bi-metal strip.

In operation, as the temperature of the jacket water rises the heat isconveyed to the bi-metal strip immersed in it, and the unequalexpansionthereof causes the strip Cwith its attached plate C to move laterallyrand the pins therefore slide slowly with thefurtherrise intemperature along the longitudinal or axial portion of the slots ,formedin the spindle; When the desired or predetermined temperaturealms beenreachedthe-pins engage the portions of the slots cut at an angle and thepres sure of the pins caused by the further lateral bending ofthebi-metal strip causes the spindle to rotate carrying the valve with-it,the valve thus being turned on its spindle is opened slightly and thewater in the tube L begins to circulate but in restricted volume. As thetemperature turtl1er rise's, thevalve is further openedLuntil-it isturned to a position almost 'parallel with the axi's ofthe tube and ofthe casingA when unrestricted circulationot thewater will take place.

It-will be observed that by this device a considerable movement of thebi-metal strip-may occur along the longitudinal slot until the desiredor predetermined temperature is reached before thethermostatic stripbegins to operate to open the valve.

Although two opposed slots and two pins are shown in the drawings, it'isfound in practice that a-single pin and a single cam slot serve tosatisfactorily operate the spindle and valve, but I prefer to employ twoas shown, the two being more reliable.

What I do claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentis 1*- 1. A device for automatically controlling the temperature ofwater in the water jacket of an internal combustion engine comprising acasing adapted to be fitted within the jacket outlet pipe, a bi-metalstrip mounted in the casing, pins attached to the strip, a spindlehaving slots therein to receive the pins, and a valve carried by thespindle, saidvalve being operated by the movement of the bi-metal stripwhen a predetermined temperature has been reached.

2. A device for automatically controlling the temperature ot' water inthe jacket of an internal combustion engine, comprising a casing fittedwithin the jacket outlet pipe, a bi-metal strip mounted in the casing,pins attached to the strip, a spindle mounted in bearings in the casingand having slots therein to receive the pins, and a throttle valvecarried by the spindle, said valve having .a dished portion at itscenter to enable the end of the bi-metal strip to surround the spindle.

3. A device for automatically controlling the temperature ol water'inthe jacket of an internal combustion engine, comprising a easing fittedwithin the jacket outlet pipe, a bi-metal strip mounted in the casing,pins attached to the strip, aspindle mounted in bearings in the casing,said spindle having a curved slot longitudinally or axially arranged fora portion of the length of the slot to receive the pin, and a throttlevalve carried by the spindle,-said valvehaving a dished portion at itscenter to enable the end oi the bi-meta'l strip to surround the spindle.

t. A device for automatically controlling the temperature of water inthe jacket of an internalcombustion engine, comprising a casing fittedwithin the jacket outlet pipe, a bi-metal strip mounted in the casing,pins attached'to'the strip, a spindle mounted in hearings in: thecasingj and having slots therein'to rece'ive' the pins, and a throttlevalve carried by the spindle,

5. A device for automatically controlling the temperature of water inthe jacket of an internal combustion engine, comprising a casing fittedwithin the jacket outlet pipe, abi-metal strip mounted in the casing,pins attached to the strip, a spindle mounted in bearingsin the casing,said spindle having a curved slot longitudinally or axially arranged fora portion of thelength of the slot to receive the pins, and a throttlevalve carried by the spindle. I I

CYRIL FRANK PIZZEY.

